Windows XP starting time launched in 2001, which is eons ago when information technology comes to applied science. Windows has gone through a handful of operating systems since then. If y'all're nonetheless running Windows XP, it'southward high fourth dimension that you upgrade to Windows 10.

While many people also have a fondness for Windows 7, there's no betoken moving from Windows XP to Windows 7. Become direct to Windows 10 because y'all volition be able to enjoy new features, exist better protected against malicious threats, and benefit from greater software support.

Unfortunately, at that place's no direct upgrade path from Windows XP to Windows 10. Still, the procedure to upgrade isn't too complicated. We're going to testify y'all how to transition between the 2.

1. Check Your Hardware Compatibility

The commencement affair y'all need to exercise is bank check that your computer can run Windows 10. There's no universal answer for this because it depends on the components in your system.

Equally detailed by Microsoft, the minimum system requirements for Windows ten are:

  • Processor: 1GHz
  • RAM: 1GB (32-bit), 2GB (64-bit)
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Graphics: Compatible with DirectX 9 or afterwards with WDDM ane.0 driver
  • Resolution: 800 x 600

Bear in mind that these are minimum requirements. If yous take slow RAM or minimal storage infinite, you won't enjoy the full Windows 10 experience; your system will probable feel sluggish, and you won't be able to install many programs.

dxdiag

To check your current Windows XP arrangement'south hardware:

  1. Press Windows cardinal + R to open Run.
  2. Input dxdiag and click OK.
  3. This will launch the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, which details the components you have installed. You'll find the pertinent information on the Organisation and Display tabs.

If you've had your Windows XP system for a long time and never upgraded any of the parts, the chances are that you won't be able to run Windows x smoothly. You should too search your component manufacturer's website to ensure they even supply drivers to support Windows x.

In near cases, y'all're meliorate off buying a new computer that comes with Windows ten or upgrading the components in your existing car.

2. Back Up Your Data

Hopefully, you already know how important it is to dorsum up your data. You should exist taking regular backups to protect against data loss.

Since there is no direct upgrade path from Windows XP to Windows 10, it means that you can't retain your personal data and programs during the transition. It will completely wipe everything. As such, you need to back up your information and then manually restore it on Windows 10.

Offset, think about everything you lot need to back up. There are various Windows files and folders y'all should ever back up: your documents, media files, emails, game saves, browser bookmarks, and and so on.

windows laptop backing up to the cloud

It might exist worth cloning your entire organisation with an ISO, aslope a split backup of your personal data. This way, if you forget anything, then you tin can return to the ISO to restore it.

Next, determine what you're going to employ to store your backup. This will depend primarily on how much data you take. You could utilise a USB bulldoze, an external hard drive, or even a cloud backup service.

When y'all're prepare, brainstorm the backup. If you're using software to practise this, it'll help you automate much of the work. Otherwise, manually copy and paste your information from your Windows XP machine to your backup device.

three. Install Windows 10

Once you've confirmed your reckoner can handle the upgrade and you've backed up all the data you lot want to proceed, it's time to install Windows ten.

To begin, download the Windows 10 creation tool from Microsoft. Use this to create a Windows 10 installer, for which you'll need a blank USB with 8GB of space.

windows 10 installation media

Once downloaded, launch the program:

  1. Read the license terms and click Accept.
  2. Select Create installation media (USB wink bulldoze, DVD or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
  3. Choose your required Language, Edition, and Architecture, then click Next.
  4. Select USB wink drive and click Next.
  5. Choose your drive from the list and click Next.
  6. Follow the rest of the wizard through.

For total support on how to complete this, see our guide on how to create bootable media to install Windows.

As an aside, you tin can still download the Windows 7 ISO from Microsoft, if you're insistent on upgrading from Windows XP to Windows seven. Even so, as previously stated, we don't recommend using this every bit sometime operating system.

Once your Windows 10 installation media is created, you lot demand to tell your computer to kick from it. To practice this, restart and enter BIOS. The cardinal you lot press to enter the BIOS varies per system; you should see information technology displayed during system start-up, and it's usually the Delete key or a Function key.

Tap it until you enter the BIOS and so change your boot device priority and then that the installation media is kickoff. For more information on this, encounter our guide on how to alter the boot gild.

In one case consummate, you volition be taken through Windows ten installation wizard. If prompted, be sure to select that you want to install a new copy of Windows rather than an upgrade (which won't work).

You'll be asked to set your language, proper name, and other settings. Information technology might accept a while for the installation to complete, and so be prepared. Once done, your system should restart automatically and have you into Windows x.

iv. Reinstate Your Data and Programs

Now you're on Windows ten, and you can reinstate your personal data. This is a case of manually moving everything from your backup to the relevant new locations in Windows x.

ninite

Remember also to install your programs. Ninite is particularly good for this since you tin can bulk install lots of software with a few clicks.

Once you're all ready up, spend some time getting to know Windows 10. There's lots of new functionality that didn't exist in Windows XP. We've covered how to control all Windows 10 settings, which should help you lot get the system running how you like it.

Your Windows XP to Windows 10 Upgrade Is Complete

Mission complete. You've successfully upgraded your organization from Windows XP to Windows 10, away from the chunky blueish aesthetics onto a sleeker and better protected operating system.

If you're missing Windows XP, there are some ways that you tin can resurrect it on Windows 10, like downloading XP themes or running a virtual machine.

4 Ways to Revive Windows XP on Windows x

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About The Author

Joe Keeley (868 Articles Published)

Joe was born with a keyboard in his hands and immediately started writing nearly applied science. He has a BA (Hons) in Business and is now a full-fourth dimension freelance writer who enjoys making tech unproblematic for everyone.

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